Vietnam, Germany strive for stronger strategic partnership

Updated: 11:14’ - 26/11/2015

Germany is currently one of the leading partners of Vietnam in Europe in trade, science-technology, development cooperation, environment, law, and education, President Truong Tan Sang on November 25 told his German counterpart Joachim Gauk in Berlin during his visit to Germany.

President Truong Tan Sang and German President Joachim Gauck review the guard of honor __Photo: Nguyen Khang/VNA

The two leaders expressed pleasure at the rapid development of the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership and stressed the need to increase the exchange of visits and implement bilateral cooperative mechanisms for a stronger strategic partnership in the coming time.

They said they were delighted with the progress in bilateral trade and investment ties, citing both nations are enjoying favorable conditions to lift two-way trade to USD 15-20 billion by 2020 from USD 1.4 billion at present, and to bring German investment in Vietnam to USD 5 billion as soon as possible.

They agreed to maintain Germany’s top place among Vietnam’s economic partners and offer the most favorable conditions for their enterprises to promote closer cooperation.

The two presidents applauded the bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums and compared notes on the increasing activities of building artificial islands which threaten stability, peace, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

President Gauck underscored the importance of settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means on the basis of international law.

For his part, President Sang thanked the German Government for maintaining provision of development aid to Vietnam for many years, contributing significantly to poverty reduction and economic development.

He also praised Germany’s continuing support for Vietnam in the 2015-17 period, focusing on energy, environment and vocational training. .- (VNS/VLLF)